{"id":337621,"date":"2025-02-27T17:07:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T21:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=337621"},"modified":"2025-02-27T17:07:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T21:07:57","slug":"dominica-state-college-board-of-governors-responds-to-faculty-complaints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/homepage-carousel\/dominica-state-college-board-of-governors-responds-to-faculty-complaints\/","title":{"rendered":"Dominica State College Board of Governors responds to faculty complaints"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In response to industrial action taken by faculty and administrative staff on February 24, 2025, the Board of Governors of Dominica State College (DSC) has addressed concerns raised in a recent press release issued by college personnel.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging the faculty’s grievances, the Board emphasized its commitment to clarifying efforts ongoing at the institution and resolving any issues collaboratively.<\/p>\n

The primary concern highlighted by faculty revolves around salary negotiations for the period of 2023 to 2026. In response, the Board’s statement emphasized that the Dominica Public Service Union (PSU) has been duly informed of a job reclassification exercise that was initiated in response to feedback from staff.<\/p>\n

The Board stated, \u201cThis process requires input from the PSU to ensure fair and effective implementation.\u201d<\/p>\n

They reiterated the importance of continuing discussions in a manner that reflects the collaborative and constructive spirit that has characterized their relationship so far. Furthermore, it was noted that faculty salaries are generally aligned with those of secondary school teachers. The DSC faculty’s letter of complaint had drawn negative comparison between their pay and that of high school educators, pointing to the broader context of compensation within education.<\/p>\n

The Board also underscored the significant investment made by the Government of Dominica into the refurbishment of DSC, amounting to over $4 million. This multi-phase project has seen considerable advancements over the past year, with Blocks A, B, and C fully renovated, asserted the statement. It further revealed that, currently, the government is awaiting cost estimates for the refurbishment of the auditorium and auto-mechanics room, reaffirming a commitment to the institution\u2019s continual improvement.<\/p>\n

Addressing another point of contention, the Board strongly refuted claims regarding unsanitary washroom conditions. It was highlighted that designated bathroom facilities for faculty are available on the Upper Campus and within the Administrative Wing of the Lower Campus. The Board expressed regret over what they described as \u201cmisleading statements,\u201d affirming that such claims do not accurately reflect the current conditions at DSC.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, the Board of Governors and DSC Management remain committed to addressing faculty and staff concerns seriously. \u201cThe relationship with the PSU has been professional and respectful,\u201d they stated, reaffirming their dedication to working collaboratively to foster a positive and fair working environment.<\/p>\n

Read full letter here:<\/p>\n